The
Bluffton Blufft n Sun August 19, 2025 • Volume 28, Issue 16 • Complimentary • BlufftonSun.com
High school sports preview 3A
Bluffton artist to exhibit paintings 22A
nature.org/ © Holstein Appraisals
New state forest planned By Sasha Sweeney Editor
In a critical conservation victory, The Nature Conservancy (TNC) has acquired the 2,737 acre Chelsea Plantation in eastern Jasper County, placing it under a conservation easement and positioning it to become South Carolina’s first new state forest in more than two decades. “Developing Chelsea would have ushered in a new era of expansion in an already fast growing region. We weren’t willing to leave it to chance.”said Dale Threatt Taylor, executive director of TNC South Carolina. In a community driven effort, local residents, faith groups and conservation partners rallied to halt proposed annexation and development. According to the Coastal Conservation League, grassroots efforts helped stop a developer’s plan to build more than 2,000 homes along Highway 462. Located just 4 miles from Okatie and south of the Broad River, the property spans more than seven miles along Hazzard Creek, which drains into the Broad River and ultimately Port Royal Sound. It includes salt marshes, maritime forest corridors, and longleaf pine forests—eco-
systems vital for water filtration, wildlife habitat, and resilience to sea level rise. TNC will place the land under a conservation easement, held by Open Land Trust, before transferring it to the South Carolina Forestry Commission to create a new state forest. The move is expected to finally make this area accessible for public use, though the timing awaits state approvals. If approved, Chelsea State Forest would mark the first new state forest since the 2004 creation of the 12,000 acre Wee Tee State Forest. In 2023, TNC and partners added more than 6,000 acres to Wee Tee, but no entirely new forest has been designated since. Governor Henry McMaster underscored the broader value of the project. “Protecting these landscapes from overdevelopment is more important than ever,” he said. “We are committed to preserving South Carolina’s natural resources so that we can all enjoy the forests, wildlife and outdoor recreation that define our way of life.” Local impact includes safeguarding water quality and rural character, while also offering future outdoor recreation opportunities. Coastal Conservation League notes that public open access for activities
like hunting, fishing and hiking enhances regional quality of life. For South Carolina, the Chelsea Plantation deal represents both environmental defense and forward-looking stewardship. It demonstrates how community advocacy, philanthropic funding, and public-private cooperation can avert development pressures and secure a sustainable future. Residents and policymakers now await the Forestry Commission’s next steps. Once operational, Chelsea State Forest would be a landmark addition to the Lowcountry—preserving habitat, protecting water resources, and offering new recreational access for generations to come.
Bluffton and Beaufort County outline politcal sign rules 35A
Nature’s Way
45A